Hepatitis C virus eradication decreases the risks of liver cirrhosis and cirrhosis-related complications (Taiwanese chronic hepatitis C cohort)
Journal
Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (Australia)
Journal Volume
36
Journal Issue
10
Pages
2884-2892
Date Issued
2021
Author(s)
Hsu W.-F.
Tsai P.-C.
Chen C.-Y.
Tseng K.-C.
Lai H.-C.
Kuo H.-T.
Hung C.-H.
Tung S.-Y.
Wang J.-H.
Chen J.-J.
Lee P.-L.
Chien R.-N.
Lin C.-Y.
Yang C.-C.
Lo G.-H.
Tai C.-M.
Lin C.-W.
Yan S.-L.
Bair M.-J.
Su W.-W.
Chu C.-H.
Chen C.-J.
Lo C.-C.
Cheng P.-N.
Chiu Y.-C.
Wang C.-C.
Cheng J.-S.
Tsai W.-L.
Lin H.-C.
Huang Y.-H.
Huang J.-F.
Dai C.-Y.
Chuang W.-L.
Yu M.-L.
Peng C.-Y.
Abstract
It is currently unknown how hepatitis C virus (HCV) eradication with pegylated interferon and ribavirin (PR) therapy affects the incidence of new-onset liver cirrhosis (LC) in patients without cirrhosis and the incidence of decompensated liver disease (DLD) or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with cirrhosis. Taiwanese chronic hepatitis C cohort (T-COACH) is a nationwide HCV registry cohort from 23 hospitals in Taiwan recruited between 2003 and 2015. This study enrolled 10 693 patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC), linked to the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, receiving PR therapy for at least 4 weeks for new-onset LC and liver-related complications (DLD or HCC). Of the 10 693 patients, 1372 (12.8%) patients had LC, and the mean age was 54.0 ± 11.4 years. The mean follow-up duration was 4.38 ± 2.79 years, with overall 46 798 person-years. The 10-year cumulative incidence rates of new-onset LC were 5.0% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.2-7.7) in patients without cirrhosis with a sustained virologic response (SVR) and 21.9% (95% CI: 13.4-32.4) in those without SVR (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.22, P < 0.001). The 10-year cumulative incidence rates of liver-related complications were 21.4% (95% CI: 11.1-37.2) in patients with cirrhosis with SVR and 47.0% (95% CI: 11.1-86.0) in those without SVR after adjustment for age, sex, and competing mortality (HR: 0.52, P < 0.001). Hepatitis C virus eradication with PR therapy decreased the incidence of new-onset LC in noncirrhotic patients and the incidence of liver-related complications in cirrhotic patients with CHC.
SDGs
Publisher
John Wiley and Sons Inc
Type
journal article